Arsenal Lead the Race to Sign Espanyol Star Joan Garcia
The Gunners are targeting a back-up for David Raya after the season, as Neto’s loan from Bournemouth is expiring, and look well-placed to secure Garcia as another signing from Spain.
Garcia was on Arsenal’s radar at least from last summer, following his breakout campaign in the Spanish second tier, where he helped Espanyol secure a return to La Liga.
The 23-year-old, praised as ‘outstanding’, has played every single minute of their top-flight campaign this term, conceding 40 goals and keeping four clean sheets.
He is under contract at the Barcelona-based club until June 2028, meaning Espanyol will be in a strong position if an offer from the Emirates does arrive in the coming months.
Arsenal have only used a back-up goalkeeper twice this campaign, with Neto and 16-year-old Jack Porter each making an appearance in place of Raya.
The goalkeeper has made 28 appearances for his current club, during which he has conceded 40 goals and managed to keep 4 clean sheets. He has played for a total of 2,520 minutes. As the current season wraps up, Arsenal is on the lookout for a backup goalkeeper for David Raya, since Neto’s loan from Bournemouth is coming to an end. The club is in a strong position to sign Garcia, another talented player from Spain.
Garcia caught Arsenal’s attention last summer after a standout season in the Spanish second division. He played a key role in helping Espanyol secure promotion back to La Liga.
At just 23 years old, he has been praised as “outstanding” and has played every minute of their top-flight campaign this season, during which he has conceded 40 goals and kept four clean sheets.
He is under contract with the Barcelona-based club until June 2028, giving Espanyol a strong negotiating position if an offer from Arsenal arrives in the coming months.
This season, Arsenal has used a back-up goalkeeper only twice, with Neto and 16-year-old Jack Porter each making one appearance in place of Raya. To date, Garcia has played 28 matches for his current club, conceded 40 goals, kept four clean sheets, and has accumulated a total of 2,520 minutes played.
